Elvis Costello: Spectacle

I had the opportunity the last couple of weeks to work with a television show taping at the Apollo theater in Harlem. Elvis Costello is doing a show for the Sundance channel that will air in late November called Spectacle. It is sort of like an Inside the Actors Studio vibe, but with musicians. Depending on who is on the show Elvis will collaborate on a couple of songs, as well as if there is multiple guests they will get together and make music as a group.

It is all very informal, sitting on stools and chatting while mixing in some music here and there. Believe it or not, my duties for this event was doorman/bouncer type. I know! Me, outside of the Apollo theater giving directions and keeping the riff raff out. It was a sight to behold. I brought my sunglasses and wore all black to make it look very official.

It was a lot of fun. We would get to sit in during the tapings, as well as hang out during rehearsals. Rehearsals were actually much more interesting than the actual taping because they just worked on the music together. It is interesting seing musicians get together on a song for the first time and work out what key, speed, harmonies, etc. that they will do.

Acts I got to see: Herbie Hancock, Elton john, She & Him, Roseanne Cash, Kris Kristoferson, John Mellancamp, Jakob Dillan, amongst others. Neat to see such a wide variety of music represented. Costello is like a music encyclopedia. He seems to know just about everthing there is to know music.

Sorry for the picture quality... no cameras allowed. i took these with my phone, which apparently takes real crappy pictures.